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What We Can Learn from the Magi

Can we learn something from these three wise men in the Christmas story, to help us cope with illness? Bronlynn shares.

“We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2).

Although Scripture does not tell us much about the magi, we know from historical information that they had been studying the stars and waiting for signs of the predicted king for a very long time.

Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, Old Testament Scripture referred to the star the wise men would follow (Numbers 24:17). These magi studied prophecies carefully. They did not forget what they read, but sought to apply their knowledge as they watched and waited.

They never lost hope that the prophecy would be fulfilled. And when it was, they were willing to take a long, arduous journey to worship the object of their waiting.

If we have chronic health problems, we know all about searching and waiting. We research our illnesses and treatments in order to make wise decisions. We wait for appointments, tests, and results. We watch for signs of improvement and decline. And we go through discomfort as we wait.

We can learn some lessons from the magi. We need to continually study Scripture and use it to refute untruths about God and our situations, holding on to the hope that the Lord fulfills His promises.

We need to notice signs of God’s presence in our lives through ways such as nature, His Word, answered prayers, the counsel of other believers, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit within us.

We need to be willing to suffer discomfort on our journey through this life, knowing that when we reach our final destination, it will be worth the wait.

And above all, as we journey, we need to bring gifts of praise, worship, and adoration to our Savior.

Prayer: King Jesus, this Christmas season and beyond, help me to be diligent in my seeking, searching, persevering, and worshipping of You. Amen.

About the author:
Bronlynn Spindler lives in North Carolina and is blessed to have the support and encouragement of a wonderful husband and three grown daughters, two wonderful sons-in-law, and one more coming into the family this month. God’s grace and strength have brought her through thyroid cancer and continue to sustain her through ongoing back pain, depression, headaches, multiple sensitivities, eye pain, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog of devotionals at http://www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com.

If you could choose one of the lessons from the magi, which would you choose for this holiday season and why?

This is “We Three Kings” with the group Straight No Chaser. It is a touching accapella arrangement that I hope will bless you as you imagine who these three magi were and the journey they took to find the King they had been watching for. -Lisa